KUBANG PASU: The two men found dead in a sewer in front of SMK Paya Kamunting here today are believed to be cable thieves.
Kubang Pasu district police chief Superintendent Rodzi Abu Hassan said initial investigations suggested that the men died while trying to steal cables belonging to a telecommunications company.
He said checks showed the men stole cables from another sewerage hole before getting trapped and suffocating.
Rodzi added that the bodies were discovered by passers-by who inspected the sewer upon noticing that its cover was ajar.
"The two men were trapped in the 6m-deep hole. Police have requested assistance from the Fire and Rescue Department to retrieve the bodies due to the depth of the hole," he told reporters at the scene today.
Rodzi said investigations found that the two men had successfully cut the telecommunications company's cable in the first hole, about 30m meters from where their bodies were discovered.
However, while attempting to cut the cable in the second hole, the men got trapped and died from suffocation due to a lack of oxygen.
"We believe this incident occurred early this morning before the bodies were found shortly after. Investigations also found that they were local citizens but not from this district.
"At this point, the case is classified as a sudden death report. The bodies have been sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star," he said.
after being trapped in a sewer hole in front of SMK Paya Kamunting near Jitra here today.